West Virginia lands commitment from 4-star center Aliou Dioum
West Virginia has scored another major addition on the recruiting trail with the commitment of 2026 four-star center Aliou Dioum.
The 6-foot-10, 200-pound big man from CIA Bella Vista Prep (AZ) is currently ranked No. 80 in the Rivals150 and brings elite defensive presence to the Mountaineers. He led Nike’s EYBL Scholastic League in blocked shots last season and averaged 1.4 blocks per game at Peach Jam this summer despite playing limited minutes.
Choosing the Mountaineers
Dioum picked West Virginia out of a final six that also included Mississippi State, Syracuse, Wake Forest, UNLV, and Illinois. He took official visits to each and most recently made his way to Morgantown on Aug. 30. Sources had long pointed to WVU and Mississippi State as the two programs to watch, and ultimately Ross Hodge and his staff closed the deal.
What he brings
Dioum checks the boxes physically with legit size, length, and athletic fluidity. But it’s his motor that separates him, playing with high energy on both ends of the floor. He has shown flashes of scoring ability as well, averaging 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for Team Melo at Peach Jam while also being able to step out and hit perimeter shots.
“I go out and do whatever my team needs to win; block shots, rebound, run the floor hard, dunk the ball, knock down shots, whatever it takes,” Dioum said previously.
Big recruiting win
The Denver native is now the latest high-profile commitment in WVU’s 2026 class, giving the Mountaineers another building block in the frontcourt. His combination of defensive instincts and offensive upside make him a strong fit for what Hodge and his staff are looking to build moving forward.
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